Biomarkers for Lupus Diagnosis and Disease Activity

Dr. Michael Ward is an investigator with the intramural research program for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. He presented a review of biomarkers used or being evaluated to diagnose lupus and monitor disease activity during the Ninth International Congress on Lupus in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Lupus Foundation of America has advocated to expand federal funding and also has supported research studies through its National Research Program to validate lupus biomarkers. Validated biomarkers are essential to having the tools needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, develop screening tests for the disease, and speed development and approval of new, safe and more tolerable therapies for lupus.